As a Political Action Committee, we are proud to support progressive, Democratic women candidates in Monroe County for the offices on the ballot in all city, town, township, and county races. Additionally, State House and State Senate candidates may be endorsed if the district represents at least part of the Monroe County populace. We do not endorse women for federal, local School Board or State offices not listed above.
We are supporting the following candidates for the 2023 Bloomington, Indiana city election.
Susan Sandberg - Candidate for Mayor
Kerry Thomson - Candidate for Mayor
Nicole Bolden - Candidate for City Clerk
Lois Sabo-Skelton - Candidate for City Council, At Large
Isabel Piedmont-Smith - Candidate for City Council, District 1
Sue Sgambelluri - Candidate for City Council, District 2
Kate Rosenbarger - Candidate for City Council, District 2
Hopi Stosberg - Candidate for City Council, District 3
Shruti Rana - Candidate for City Council, District 5
Jenny Stevens - Candidate for City Council, District 5
---Scroll down for information on individual candidates---
Susan Sandberg - Candidate for Mayor
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: susan-sandberg.com
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Susan Sandberg is an experienced leader who serves all of Bloomington in an at-large seat on the Bloomington Common Council. She is running for Mayor to make Bloomington better, not just bigger. She strives to...
● make Bloomington a safer and more affordable place to live,
● build trust and better collaborations with community partners, and,
● to prioritize essential public services and infrastructure—streets, sidewalks, sanitation, water utilities, transit, emergency services—all necessary to support responsible growth and help withstand challenges from climate change.
In a 2019 report on affordable living, Working Hard, Falling Behind, she outlined issues facing low-and middle-income residents and the challenges in addressing them.
A former IU Singing Hoosier and member of Bloomington's ukulele band, The UkeTones, Susan is a longtime supporter of the arts in Bloomington. She understands the contribution to Bloomington's vibrant culture and economy provided by arts organizations and venues.
After working as a Career Services consultant with the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Susan recently retired from IU. Her earlier experiences working for the Department of Child Services as an investigator and ongoing case manager in both Greene and Monroe Counties as well as
with group homes and foster parents gave her a deep understanding of the obstacles faced by vulnerable families struggling in our community.
Susan is an Indiana University graduate with a BA degree in psychology.
Kerry Thomson - Candidate for Mayor
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: kerryforbloomington.com/
Facebook: kerryforbloomington
Instagram: @kerryforbloomington
Twitter: @kerryforbloomington
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Bio:
Thomson is a builder. She has committed her life to the work of building better communities. Now, she’s ready to work with you to build a stronger Bloomington, with a fresh approach to administration and collaboration that brings more voices to a dysfunctional City Hall.
Throughout her career in executive leadership, Kerry has both managed and transformed large organizations with complex projects, dozens of stakeholders, and multi-million dollar budgets. This is the expertise she’ll use to address some of the city’s longstanding challenges, including the lack of affordable housing that forces too many into homelessness, growing substance use and mental health crises, and political infighting that has paralyzed our government.
Some may call it impossible, but Kerry has done it before.
As CEO for Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, Kerry took charge of an organization in debt and guided it to unprecedented growth, with a six million dollar mortgage portfolio and hundreds of thousands in investments. This turnaround was pivotal in helping Habitat build affordable homes for more than 400 families in Monroe County.
In 2018, after more than 20 years dedicated to local affordable housing, Kerry was appointed Executive Director of Indiana University’s Center for Rural Engagement. The Center partners with rural communities on initiatives designed to improve quality of life and invigorate economic vitality. Under Kerry’s leadership, the Center’s reach has expanded into 50 of Indiana's 92 counties, impacting 20,000 Hoosier lives through 300 different projects.
Nicole Bolden - Candidate for City Clerk
Primary Opponent: No
Website: nicolebolden.com
Facebook: BoldenNicole
Instagram: @bolden_nic
Twitter: @Bolden_Nic
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Nicole Bolden, the Bloomington City Clerk, has been actively involved in public and political service for over 20 years. Bolden received both her undergraduate and law degrees at Indiana University in Bloomington. She currently serves the Indiana Democratic Party as a
Deputy Chair, is the President of the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus, is the Co-Chair of the national organization, the Good Trouble Network, and regularly volunteers with several state and local organizations. In 2015, Bolden became the first Black woman elected to city-wide office and is the only Black LGBTQ+/SGL woman to hold elected office in Indiana.
Born and raised in Iowa City, Bolden moved to Bloomington after graduating from high school. Here, she attended Indiana University, and eventually had two daughters, Taegan and Zora. In 2008 Bolden was asked to take a position in the Office of the City Clerk, which “turned out to be one of the best things that could have ever happened in my life,” she says.
She worked as a deputy city clerk for five years before running for clerk herself. In her role
as Clerk, Bolden has continued to work for the betterment of her town and has been a fierce advocate for Black and Brown women in her community.
Lois Sabo-Skelton - Candidate for City Council, At Large
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: None
Donations may be sent to: Dr. Lois Sabo-Skelton: 121 N. Overhill Dr., Bloomington, Indiana 47408 (please make checks out to Lois Sabo-Skelton for City Council)
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Lois Sabo-Skelton has filed to run for a seat on the Bloomington City Common Council at Large. A dedicated public servant she has served on the MCCSC School Board from 2005 – 2019, as well as various boards and commissions including the Historic Preservation Commission and is a recipient of the Green Acres Neighborhood Association HAND Neighbor of the Year award 2004. An avid activist for the Arts and Education, she holds a BM, MM, and Doctor of Music Education from the Jacobs School of Music, belongs to Local 3 Musicians Union, and currently teaches music courses at Ivy Tech Community College. Research activities include humanitarian trips with Judy O’Bannon to Serbia and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Camps with Holocaust survivor Eva Kor. Her political activities include memberships in the League of Women’s Voters, Reverse Citizens United, and as a founding member of the Democratic Women’s Caucus of Bloomington.
Policy philosophy:
“As a longtime member of this community, I believe that there are three humane principles that should guide us as we move into the future; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These are the mainstays of a vibrant and healthy community. Everyone’s ideas and contributions are necessary if we are to solve the problems facing every city today; poverty, homelessness, food shortages, personal safety and health issues. When we work together we can begin to solve these problems and build a future that will give everyone in our community the confidence that they will be heard and that they matter.”
Isabel Piedmont-Smith - Candidate for City Council, District 1
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: piedmontsmith.us
Facebook: piedmontsmith
Instagram: @IsabelPiedmontSmith
Twitter: @piedmontsmith
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Isabel Piedmont-Smith is a first-generation American and Bloomington native who is currently serving her third term on the City Council. She previously served as District 5 representative Jan. 1, 2008 through Dec. 31, 2011, and again since Jan. 1, 2016. Isabel is running for re-election in the new District 1, since her home neighborhood was put into that new City Council district.
After attending college and graduate school elsewhere, Isabel returned to Bloomington in 1994 and worked as an administrator in the Department of French and Italian at Indiana University from 1996 to 2022. She now works part-time at Crumble Coffee and Bakery in addition to her City Council work.
Like many local leaders, Isabel was an activist before she was elected to office. She became engaged in local politics in 2001 when the Growth Policies Plan was being drafted, seeking to protect greenspace and prevent sprawl. She was active in the movement to prevent the extension of I-69, to repeal Indiana’s statutory prohibition of same-sex marriage, and to protect labor unions from so-called “right to work” legislation. She served on the city’s Environmental Commission 2003-07, and her first major piece of legislation, the Green Building Ordinance (2009), was built on the EC’s work.
Sue Sgambelluri - Candidate for City Council, District 2
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: sueforcitycouncil.com
Facebook: SueForCityCouncil
Campaign Email: [email protected]
Bio:
Sue Sgambelluri was elected to Council on November 5, 2019 and represents District 2 - the City's north and near-north side. Included here are Blue Ridge, Crescent Bend, Fritz Terrace, Matlock Heights, Northwood Estates, Ridgefield, Sugarberry, Waterman, and many other neighborhoods.
Sue has worked at IU since 1992 and has called Bloomington home since 1994. In those 20+ years, she has served the most vulnerable in our community through leadership and advisory roles with Habitat for Humanity, South Central Indiana Housing Opportunities (SCIHO), the CDBG Block Grants Citizens Advisory Committee, the Jack Hopkins Social Service Funding Committee, and other organizations.
Sue believes economic vitality is critical for social well-being, and she served on the City of Bloomington Redevelopment Commission during a particularly exciting time in our history. Together with many Bloomington leaders, she has worked directly on economic development and the creation of a vibrant sustainable economy in Bloomington with projects like the Trades District, Switchyard Park, repurposing of the hospital site, and affordable housing.
Sue has been a professional fundraiser for 20 years. As a Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences at IU, she works with external partners - both individuals and organizations - and she serves as a catalyst for private support for the University's students, faculty and programs.
Kate Rosenbarger - Candidate for City Council, District 2
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: kateforbloomington.org
Facebook: kateforbloomington
Twitter: @Kate_for_Council
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Outside of council, Kate's career is focused on community development and affordable housing. At Patronicity, Kate works with local governments, non-profits, small businesses, and residents to enhance quality of life at the neighborhood level. Kate spent almost a decade with NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit focused on creating affordable housing and helping create opportunities for people to improve their lives. There, she worked with non-profits in 240 communities across the country to measure the impact of programs in neighborhoods they serve - she helped measure what people were proud of, how safe they felt in their community, what needed improvement, and how connected people felt to their neighbors .
Before that, Kate worked as the Communications Director for the AFL-CIO in Colorado and has worked on nine political campaigns in fundraising and volunteer engagement. Kate loves trail running, growing her own food, and spending time in the sun with her Russell Terrier, Gary.
Hopi Stosberg - Candidate for City Council, District 3
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: hopi.stosberg.com
Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089576779520
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Originally from Vermont, Hopi moved to Richmond, IN to attend Earlham College, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and later a Master's Degree in Teaching. During her time in Richmond she worked for Richmond Parks and Recreation as the Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, taught high school math, and also created curriculum and taught as an adjunct at Earlham College. After living in Richmond for over 15 years she and her family moved to Bloomington in December 2013.
Since moving to Bloomington she has been involved with a number of volunteer agencies in various capacities, among them University Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization President, Vice President, Event Chair, and Fundraising Chair, Kitchen Manager for the Interfaith Winter Homeless Shelter, and Co-Chair of the Displaced Immigrant Support Program through First United Church. Hopi is excited to be running to represent Bloomington District 3 on City Council and is looking forward to the opportunity to serve the community in this way.
Shruti Rana - Candidate for City Council, District 5
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: electshruti.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @Shruti Rana for Bloomington D5
Instagram: @ShrutiForBtownD5
Bio:
Shruti Rana is a mother, lawyer, educator, and community advocate. She is a faculty member and administrator at Indiana University, focusing on international law and human rights, and previously taught at the University of Maryland and the University of California. She also worked at the United Nations in the Division for the Advancement of Women, and practiced law in DC, California, and North Carolina. She is a graduate of Columbia University (JD), the London School of Economics (MSc), and the University of California, Berkeley (BA).
Shruti has a strong record of community leadership in our city. She has served as the Chair of the Monroe County Election Board, and currently serves on the Bloomington Board of Public Safety and the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women. She is on the Boards of All-Options and Exodus Refugee Immigration, a founding member and previous co-chair of the Indiana Chapter of NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum), Vice President of Monroe County NOW, and Vice Chair for the Monroe County Democratic Party. In 2020, she was elected as an Indiana Delegate, District IN-09, to the Democratic National Convention. In 2021, she was selected for Hoosier Women Forward, the Indiana state Democratic Party’s women’s leadership development program. She has worked to strengthen childcare access, family leave, education, voter protection, reproductive justice, and racial and gender equality in Bloomington and beyond. In 2022, she played a leading role in the opposition to Indiana’s abortion ban, including testifying before the Indiana Senate.
Jenny Stevens - Candidate for City Council, District 5
Primary Opponent: Yes
Website: https://jennyforbloomington.com
Campaign email: [email protected]
Bio:
Jenny, a resident since 1995, has deep roots in Bloomington. She has enjoyed working successfully as a leader, team member, and volunteer on several community projects with MCCSC, TEDx Bloomington, Girl Scouts, and Leadership Bloomington/Monroe County. She earned a Master’s in Education in 2018 while volunteering and working in several MCCSC schools.
Jenny and her husband have enjoyed raising their three children in Bloomington who attended MCCSC and attended/worked at IU. She currently works, virtually, as a Senior Research Accountant at the University of Cincinnati, her alma mater. Jenny has had several positions at Indiana University as a Grant Manager, Program/Center Manager, and Research Coordinator. She continues to work part-time and periodically for IU's Physics Department as an Accountant, a relationship that began in 1995.
In her spare time, Jenny enjoys reading, gardening, listening to music, and restorative walks in her neighborhood. Jenny has been a member of the Democratic Women's Caucus since 2010 after organizing and leading field efforts on the first successful MCCSC school funding referendum after the State cut public school funding. All 59 MCCSC educator positions eliminated due to that funding loss were subsequently restored by the fall of 2011 and beloved educational programs like Honey Creek, and Bradford Woods, along with a wide variety of extracurricular activities were protected. Jenny will guarantee that same type of commitment to Bloomington in her role on the City Council.